USF announces Pathon as new receivers coach

USF coach Skip Holtz on Tuesday announced the hiring of former NFL receiver Jerome Pathon as his new receivers coach.

Pathon, 36, spent the last three seasons in the same position at the University of San Diego, and told the Times on Monday that the opening was recommended to him by his friend and former Saints teammate, Phil McGeoghan, who left the Bulls three weeks ago to become assistant receivers coach with the Miami Dolphins.

"This is a very exciting addition to our staff," Holtz said in a statement. "Jerome brings a ton of credibility with his experience as an NFL receiver and a collegiate All-American. He's full of energy and enthusiasm, and I think his star is really rising in the coaching profession."

Jim Lambright, who was Pathon's head coach at Washington, said he had the physical skills to play in the NFL, but what set him apart was his intelligence.

"He was an excellent student, both of the game and as an a academic student," Lambright said by phone from Seattle. "He was also very gifted as a receiver, and that combination made it easy for him to compete and be very successful. He's been a really nice ambassador for our program, and as a coach, he takes a lot of pride in his ability to pass his own abilities on to his players."

Pathon will be USF's second-youngest full-time assistant, just a year older than former Bulls lineman Larry Scott, who now coaches the Bulls' running backs. He's the second addition to Holtz's staff this offseason, joining former Kansas State assistant Chris Cosh, who is Holtz's defensive coordinator.

Pathon was a second-round pick of the Colts in 1998 and totaled 260 catches in eight NFL seasons. Here's a highlight video from his Washington days -- not sure if any of his receivers will be wearing No. 24 this fall.

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